Safety locking and operating system for cell doors



H. P. MANLY 2,104,661

SAFETY LOCKING AND OPERATING SYSTEM FOR CELL DOORS Jan. 4, 1938.

Filed March 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l H. P. MANLY 2,104,661

SAFETY LOCKING AND OPERATING SYSTEM FOR CELL DOORS Jan. 4, 1938.

Filed March 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. P. MANLY Jan. 4, 1938.

SAFETY LOCKING AND OPERATING SYSTEM FOR CELL DOORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 wucnfo'o Filed March 24, 1937 Strum;

Jan. 4, 1938.

H. P. MANLY SAFETY LQCKING AND OPERATING SYSTEM FOR CELL DOORS FiledMarch 24, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 H. P. MANLY 2,104,661

AFETY LOCKING AND OPERATING SYSTEM FOR CELL DOORS Jan. 4, 1938.

Filed March 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNlTEDs'rn'rss PATENT OFFIE SAFETY LOCKING AND OPERATING SYSTEM FOR CELL DOORSW; Judson Manly Application March 24, 1937, Serial No. 132,852

14 Claims.

This invention relates to locking and operating mechanism for aplurality of cell doors arranged in a row and, among other objects, aimsto provide greatly improved selecting and locking mechanism adapted tobe operated from a central or remote control box. The main idea is toprovide novel safety locking means automatically operable to lock thedoors the instant they are fully opened or closed and thereby preventthe prisoners from moving them. Another aim is to provide auxiliarylocks for the hangers of sliding doors to lock them before they aredisconnected from the master operating means and locked by the mainlocks, thereby preventing the doors from being moved before the mainlocks are operated. Still another aim is to provide novel safety orauxiliary locking means connected to be actuated by the initia. andfinal movements of a master door propelling bar or member, whereby thedoors are locked automatically in either open or closed positionindependently of any main locks.

Other aims and advantages of the invention will appear in thespecification, when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of mechanism embodying theinvention and showing a cell dcror in closed and locked position;

.Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the door in closed position andselected to be opened;

3 is a similar viewshowing the door unlocked and ready to be opened; 7 I

Fig. 4 is a similar viewshowing the door moving toward open position;

Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the door locked in open position;

6 is a similar View showing the door locked in open position anddisconnected by its selector from the travel bar;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the mechanism in theposition shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 1, but showingthe door unlocked; I

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. l;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line l0-lfl of Fig. 1; V

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line ll-ll of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 2;r

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line I3-l3 of Fig. 2;and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line l4- -l i of Fig.3.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the 7 illustrative embodiment ofthe invention is applied to a cell door operating. and locking systemwherein any number of a series of doors are adapted to be selected andoperated. In this instance, the doors have individual main locks adaptedto be operated by separate combined lock-operating and selector leversor members arranged in the usual master control box (not shown). areadapted to be actuated by a single master operating member or travel barto which the doors are selectively connected by the individual levers.This general type of operating mechanism is well known in the art.vention provides safety locks'forthe individual doors arranged to beactuated incident to the initial and final movements of the travel barto unlock and lock the selected doors either in opened or closedpositions. This arrangement assures that all fully opened or fullyclosed doors will be locked automatically by the safety looks, eventhough a keeper mayfail to operate the main locks.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the mechanism for locking andoperating a single sliding door of a series of cell doors is shown inseveral different positions. The door is suspended by the usual type ofhanger 2| from a carriage 22having rollers 23 which ride on a track 24.All of the All of the doors in a groupor series The present in- N doorsare adapted to be actuated by the usual type of. master propellingmember, shown as being a travel bar 25 extending the full length of therow of cells above the doorcarriages and mounted for reciprocatingmovement in suitable rollerguides 26 secured to the rear wall of anordinary track box or casing 21. The travel bar is shown as having anotched plate or member 28 for each door adapted to be engaged by alateral flange or lug 29 on the free end of a door actuating link 30which is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the door carriagethrough the safety locking mechanism hereinafter described.

The door operating link is adapted to be engaged with and disengagedfrom the notch of the travel bar by any well known selector mechanism.Herein, the selector mechanism is utilized to operate a main lock foreach door. An individual selector rod 3|, conveniently operated by theusual selector lever (not shown), actuates L door carriage. The otherend of the link is mounted to reciprocate in a guide bracket 31 and hasa cam slot 38 which is guided on a pin 39 to raise and lower this end ofthe link simultaneously with the other end. The free end of theoperating link 30 is shown as having an upstanding hanger or bracket 40carrying a grooved roller 4| riding on the link 36. The arrangement issuch that when the link is raised, it lifts the flange or lug 29 out ofthe notch on the travel bar and, when it is lowered, the lug is free todrop by gravity into the notch.

It will be understood that such selector mech anism is arranged overeach door and th'at'individual levers for operating the severalselectors are arranged in the usual control box at the end of a row ofcells, each lever being connected to a rod 3 I. This type of operatingmeansis well known in the art and requires no detailed illustration.

In this example, the parallel selector link 36 is connected to operate amain lock in the form of a knife-blade 42 pivoted at its lower end on 'apin 43 in a vertical channel frame 44 defining the rear jamb of thedoor. This channel regislters with simil'archannels '45 and 46 on therear and 'front edges of the door when the door is closed and opened,respectively. A clip' or bracket 41 is secured to the link 36 andoperates a bellcrank '48 pivoted in a bracket 49 secured to the rearwall of the track box. The clip is shown as having a pin or bolt 50connected to one arm of the bell-crank and of sufficient-length topermit the necessary-raising and lowering movement of the link '36. Thebolt opening in the bell-crank arm is elongated 'to permit'arcuateactuating movement of the bell-crank, as the link 36 reciprocates. Theother arm of the bell-crank is loosely and pivotally'connected by a clip5| to the upper endof the locking blade or bar 42. Incidentally, theupper end portion of the locking blade is reduced in width within thetrack box to clear the mechanism therein when it is moved to its lockingposition. e

'In Fig. 1, the selector link 36 has been moved to the right to raiseand disengage the operating link 30 from the travel bar and, at the sametime, the locking blade is swung into its locking posi- 'tion in therear door frame channel 45 (see Figs.

9 and 1 In Fig. 2, the selector link 36 has been moved to the left,permitting the operating link'30 to drop into engagement with the travelbar and the locking blade is simultaneously swung out of its lockingengagement with the door channel 45, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. When thedoor is moved from either open'or closed position,

the operating link 30 cannot be disengaged from the travel bar becausethe locking-blade is prevented from swinging outwardly by engagementwith the top rail of the door and its bell-crank connection prevents theselector link 36 from being raised. Hence, a keeper cannot operate themain lock untilthe door isfully opened or closed.

Referring now to the safety locking means, it isshown as being directlyconnected to the door operating link so so that it is actuatedby thetravel bar. In this example, the link 30 is pivotally connected to arocker member in the form of a plate 52 which is pivoted at its lowerend to the door carriage 22 near its lower edge. It has integraloutwardly; extending ears or locking lugs 53 and 54 onop'positesides ofthe pivot with their lower edges substantially in line with the pivotaxis. These lugs are adapted to swing downwardly behind the oppositeends of a flange 55 of a'structural angle, the length of which isdetermined by the door travel and the distance between the lugs. The topedge of the flange 55 is approximately on the same level as the pivot onplate 52, so that the lower edges of the locking lugs just clear it whenthedoor is in any intermediate position andthe rocker member 52 isupright as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Also, a slight tilting or rockingmovement of the plate will cause the respective lugs to drop behind theends of the flange 55 when the door is fully opened or closed. The lugsare so engaged in Figs. and 6.

I In this instance, the opening and closing movement is imparted to thedoor carriage through the rocker plate 52 and a pair of weighted pawlsor pi oted tripping dogs 56 and 5! on the door carriage havingnotches 58and 58 in their upperends adapted to engage an inverted, trapezoidalshapedlug 60 .on the plate, the upper ends of the dogs beingsufilciently long to prevent them from dropping below the lug when theplate is swung to the right or left. The arrangement plate into a rigidconnecting member for operating the door in either direction.

The dogs or pawls 56 and51 are adapted to be tripped automatically asthe door reaches its open or closed position. In this instance, theyhave downwardly projecting trip arms 6| and '62 presenting lateral ears63 and 64 adapted to engage adjustable stops in the form of set'screws65 and 66 mounted on angle brackets 61 and 68 secured to the bott'om'ofthe track box and spaced from the opposite ends of the angle flange. Itwill be noted that the trip arms and plate will assume the relativepositions shown in Figs. 1 and 6 when the'door'is fully closed and fullyopened, respectively.

In Fig. 1, itwill be noted that the right hand tripping arm 6 |'hasstruck the stop member or set screw 65 androcked the pawl 56 upwardlyout of engagement with the lug 60, thereby'permitting the rocker plate52 "to swing to the right and engage the locking lug 53 behindthe end ofthe flange 55. During thetripping and locking operation, the doorremains stationary in its closed position and very'little movement ofthe travel bar is required to operatethe safety lock. It will beunderstood that the stops for the tripping arms "are so adjustedastotrip the respective pawls the instant when the door'strikes itsjambs 61 and 68 in its opening and closing movements.

Referring to theoperation of the mechanism to unlock, open and lock openthe door, the parts'are initiallyin theposition shown in Fig. 1 with thedoor closed and locked by both the safety lock and the main lock.In'Fig. 2, the parallel link or selector bar 36 has been moved to theleft and lowered by the selector rod 3|, so that the operating link 30is connected to'the notched .in its tripped position.

grocker plate 52 to the left and bring it to its upright position asshown in Fig. 3, with' the lug 60 engaging the bottom of the notch inthe pawl 59. In this position, the lug 53 on the rocker plate is raisedto clear the end of the flange, 55. It will be noted that the right handpawl 56 remains Further movement of the travel bar to the left impartsopening movement to the door. As soon as the tripping arm of the pawl 56moves away from its tripped engagement With the set screw t5, it willdrop into engagement withthe lug so as shown in Fig. 4 and as previouslyexplained.

When the door approaches its fully opened position and just before itstrikes the left hand 'jamb 68, the tripping ear M on the tripping arm62 of the left hand pawl 51 strikes the sets'crew 66 and fully releasesthe notch 59 of the pawl from the lug til the instant the door strikesthe jamb. Final movement of the travel bar is then utilized to impartrocking movement to the plate and swing the left hand lockinglug 54behind the left hand end of the flange. 55. The door is thusautomatically locked open by the safety lock without requiring actuationof any other locking means. If it is desired to leave this door openand/ or operate other doors, the keeper will again operate the selectormember by moving the link or selector bar back to the right, as shown inFig. 6, thereby raising the operating link 30 out of engagement with thenotched member 28 on the travel bar. At the same time, the selector bar36 operates the master look through the bellcrank 48 to swing thelocking blade d2 into the position corresponding to that shown in Figs.9 and 10, except that it engages the right hand channel 46 of the door.When the parts are in this position, the door is locked open both by thesafety lock and the main lock and thereby provides double securityagainst unauthorized movement.

When it is desired to close and lock the door,

the selector is again operated to connect the door operating link to thetravel bar, as explained in connection with Fig. 1, and the wholeoperation is repeated by moving the travel bar to the right instead ofto the left. The safety look again serves to keep the door locked in theinterval that elapses between the actuation of the master operatingmember in the control box and the selector member for this particulardoor. Moreover, it will keep the door locked, even thoughthe keeperfails to operate the selector.

From the foregoing descriptiomit will be seen that the safety lockingmechanism is entirely automatic in its operation and not'only serves toprevent unauthorized movement of the doors by prisoners but alsoprovides a separate lock for the door carriage which can be usedindependently of any other lock. In some instances, main locks, such asare ordinarily used for cell doors, may be dispensed with. Moreover, anyother suitable type of main locks may be employed in connection with theimproved safety locking system. Also, the safety locking mechanism maybe directly connected to actuate main locks for the doors. The mechanismis greatly simplified and is reliable in its operation. There are nodelicate parts requiring frequent repairs or replacement and the systemmay be operated by any unskilled mechanic or keeper who might havediificulty in understanding and following more or less complicatedinstructions.

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particularembodiment thereof herein shown'and described. Moreover, it is notindispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly,since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations andsub-combinations.

What is claimed is:

1. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member, selector means forconnecting any selected door to be operated by said propelling member;and automatic safety locking means associated with the door carriageoperated by said propelling member both during its initial and finalopening and closing movements.

2. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member, combined locking and doorpropelling means pivotally mounted on the door; an individual doorpropelling link connected to said means; and means selectively toconnect said link to said master propelling member to impart unlockingand locking movements to the locking means and propelling movement tothe door in proper sequence, during the continuous movement of themaster door propelling bar in one direction.

3. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member, selector means forconnecting any selected door to be operated by said propelling member;and a combined locking and door propelling member on the door to unlockor look "1e door and also impart opening or closing movements to thedoor as the master door propelling member is operated in one direction,

4. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member, selector means forconnecting said master propelling member to any selected door; a movablelocking device connected to the door and forming a part of theconnection between the door and the master door propelling member; andmeans cooperating with said locking device automatically to lock thedoor when it reaches its fully opened or closed position, said lockingdevice being positively operable by the initial and final movements ofthe door propelling member.

5. In an operating and locking'system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member, selector means forconnecting any door to be operated by said propelling member; andcombined, individual locking and propelling mechanism associated withthe door operable by said propelling member when it is moved in eitherdirection to unlock the door, propel the door to opened or closedposition and lock the door, said locking mechanism including a memberpositively actuated by said propelling member during its initial andfinal movements.

6. In a master operating and locking system for a plurality of slidingcell doors, selector means for connecting any selected door to beoperated ing plate when the door reaches eitherits opened or closedposition. 7

'7. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member, selector means forconnecting any selected door to be operated by said propelling member; amain lock for the door operated by said selector means; and automaticsafety locking means associated with the door carriage operable by saidpropelling member both during its initial and final opening and closingmovements to unlock and lock the door carriage before and after the doorhas been moved to its fully opened or closed position,

8. In an operating and locking system for a vplurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member and individual main locks,selector means for connecting any selected door to be operated by saidpropelling member and to unlock the mainlock of said door; and anautomatic auxiliaiy lock associated with the door carriage operable bysaid propelling member both door propelling member and individual mainlocks, selector means -for connecting any selected door to'be operatedby said propelling member and connected to unlock the main lock; anautomatic auxiliary lock mounted on the door movable to lock the door ineither opened orclosed position; and a door propelling link connected tosaid auxiliary'lock providing the operating'connection between saidmaster door propelling member and the door to impart positive unlockingand locking .movement to said auxiliary lock during the initial andfinal opening or closing movement of said master'propelling member,whereby the door is kept locked in either position at all times when itsmain lock is unlocked.

10. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master propelling member and individual main locks,selector means for connecting any selected door to be operated by saidpropelling member; means to actuate the main lock; and automaticauxiliary locking means connected to the door carriage and forming apart of the door propelling means positively operable by said masterpropelling member both during its initial and final opening and closingmovements to look the door open or closed and keep itlocked while themain lock is unlocked.

11. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member and individual main. locks,selector means for connecting any selected door to be operated by saiddoor propelling member; means connecting the selector means to actuatethe main lock; and automatic auxili iary locking means on the doorcarriage actuated by said door propelling member to lock the door eitheropen orclosed and thereby prevent a prisoner from movingthe door whilethe main selector bar; means connecting the selector bar to'operate themain lock; a door operating link having means to connect it to anddisconnect it from said door propelling member controlled by theactuation of said selector bar; and an auxiliary locking memberpivotally connected to the top of the door positively operable by saidli'nkduring theinitial'and final opening or closing movement of saidmaster door propelling member to unlock and lock the door in either openor closed position.

.13. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding 'celldoors having a master propelling member, main locks for each doorincluding a pivoted vertical blade member; a channel jamb member for thedoor opening Within which said blade member is mountedto swingoutwardly; channel side frame members on the door adapted to registerwith said channel jamb when the door is either opened or closed;selector means including a selector bar:

above the door; a bell-crank connecting the selector bar to the mainlocking blade; an auxiliary locking member pivotally mounted on the topof the door; an operating link selectively to connect the auxiliarylocking member to the master door propelling member; and meanscooperating .with the auxiliary locking member to lock the top of thedoorautomatically in either opened or closed position and to unlock andimpart operating movement through the operating link to the door, inproper-sequence.

14. In an operating and locking system for a plurality of sliding celldoors having a master door propelling member, selector means forconnecting any selecteddoor to be operated by said initial and finalopening or closing movements imparted to'said-master door propellingmember.

HOWARD P. MANLY.

